No point in quoting the number of days injured, I'm interested in how many games he played (and goals scored - crucial for an AM - if he ever was an AM! After all these years I've still no idea what his best position was).
From the PL stats, these are the figures:
2013/14 : 9 appearances, 0 goals
2014/15: 33 appearances, 2 goals
2015/16: 34 appearances, 5 goals
2016/17: 9 appearances, 1 goal
2017/18: 25 appearances, 2 goals
2018/19: 19 appearances, 4 goals
2019/20: 25 appearances, 2 goals
2020/21: 23 appearances, 1 goal
Bearing in mind that many (most) of those appearances were as a sub, only a lunatic (or committed fan-boy) would conclude that the £30m of the Bale money (plus a £4m a year, 4 year contract) was money well spelt.
The fact that he roughed up Fabregas and Wilshire does not (in my eyes) confer legendary status on a player that promised much, but delivered little. The two rabonas that he scored only highlighted his chronic one-footedness.
I'm sure he's a nice guy but has delivered very little for THFC. Good luck to him in Spain. I hope Gil delivers much more.
I don’t think that was his game though. When fit (and know that wasn't often) there was very few players better at pressing, winning the ball, driving forward or putting their foot on the ball. He was a busy body warrior type.
If you compare that to the likes Dempsey, Dele or Siggy they scored more but did vastly less in the midfield. You need busy body players to take control of games particularly against stronger sides and he did that often against good teams like City.
It’s time for him to go and injuries ruined his career but he did have a very good use providing energy to the team which he did very well. Our expectation of him when he came was of lots of goals and assists but he was more energy and combat.